The Colonial Times
January 10, 2020
What's Happening at Log
In the coming weeks the students at Log will be taking their second round of MAP testing, and also the second of four curriculum based assessments in their core subjects. If you have any questions about these, please reach out to your children's teachers. The assessments are important diagnostic tools to help your children's teachers not only assess the students' knowledge understanding of the subject matter, but also tailor their instruction so that it is the most beneficial to your children. As such, it is important that students are well-rested so that they can perform as well as possible.
Our winter sports seasons are well under way, with girls' basketball wrapping their season up this evening in our annual Log/Klinger game at Tennent. Wrestling has seen a successful season thus far, and boys' basketball will start their season in the coming weeks. Please check the athletics page on the Log College website for specific sports schedules, and, as always, please come out and support our student athletes!
Since we are just returning from a long winter break, we are a little light in this week's edition of The Colonial Times, but look forward to seeing a lot happening here at Log in the winter and spring months. If you have questions about anything, please don't hesitate to contact the school!
Upcoming Dates:
Monday, January 20th- No School: MLK Jr. Day
Saturday, January 25th- Flapjack Fundraiser @ Applebees for the Music Department
Tuesday, January 28th- End of 2nd Marking Period
Wednesday, January 29th- No School: Staff Inservice
Monday, February 3rd- 2hr Delay: Staff Inservice
Student Artwork- 8th grade
2020 Geography Bee
On Thursday, January 9, 2020, Log College Middle School held its annual Geography Bee. Ten students advanced to the school wide competition. The National Geographic Society sponsors this Geography Bee each year. They supply the questions for the school bee and the finalist takes a state exam online. This year’s winner, Sanjeev Pandith, an 8th grade student, has been a winner each year he has participated. He will take the exam for qualification in the Pennsylvania State Contest. Sanjeev did well enough on the online exam the last two years to qualify for the state level in Harrisburg where he represented Log College extremely well. Aereen Siddiqui, a 6th grader, came in second place and Kalena Viera, also a 6th grader, came in third. Congratulations to all participants!
The National Geographic Society has a tremendous website with many geography games, maps, and challenges. If you enjoy geography yourself or want to check it out with your child, log onto their website at www.nationalgeographic.com.
Student Writing Corner
The pieces below are excerpts of writing pieces from 8th grade that were a few examples of several submitted to a narrative writing contest sponsored by the New York Times Foundation.
Anti-Freeze Sandwich
By: Anonymous
Making my way through the corridors, my eyes meet the French doors. The ancient door handle creaks louder than I originally expected. I pull the door closed behind me, oblivious as to what’s to come. The horizon beyond me shocks me to my core. A gruesome stench of destruction and tomatoes poisons the air around me, and I’m forced to breathe it in. In front of me is a scattered scene of horror, death, and despair. The bodies of animals lay throughout the yard and tears prickle at my eyes. A frightening amount of raccoons, squirrels, mice, rabbits all lay deceased in a once calming terrain. Anxiety tingles through my bones, and I fall into minor shock.
My mouth runs agape as my confusion twists and spirals in my face. I want to call for my brother, but all that comes out is a whimper. However, I soon muster the courage to shout out a confused yelp. My brother’s hurried footsteps tremble as he dashes through the foyer. I feel his arm brush mine and the contrast of his merry laughter pulls me out of my frozen daze. I understood that Nonna’s garden was significant to her, but it didn't justify the massacre of several small vermin and scavengers. Nonna’s troubled footsteps inch closer and closer. Though I am still in shock, I hear Nonna’s gentle voice whisper through the air...
The Bite
By: Jenna Morgan
Not having a clue as to what would happen next, I got up off the couch to grab a snack. Walking over to the kitchen, I spotted the dog, Rina. She looked really sad and overwhelmed, I thought. I should go to comfort her. My family and I were visiting my cousins in July, and they had just gotten a new dog. I was meeting her for the first time, and she had been really anxious to meet us.
I walked over to her on her bed. I extended my hand to her nose. I could feel the warm moist air against it. She knows I mean no harm. I began to pet her on the head. All of a sudden, I heard her growling--a really deep growl, like the kind you only hear in movies. It was too late. The growling continued, and I saw her going for my hand really fast. I couldn’t pull my arm back now. Am I really going to get bitten? Oh my god! Her mouth unhinged; it opened wide, really wide, extremely wide. Her head tilted back, and her saliva was now all over my hand. Soon I realized my hand was engulfed in Rina’s mouth--her teeth sinking into it. I was now aware of what was happening. My jaw dropped, eyes bulged, and my hand became tense. My mind was so clouded with thoughts I couldn’t think straight. Still in shock, I screamed in terror, while my cousin laughed mischievously at the fact that I had just got bitten by his dog...
Homework Club
Attendance Procedures
Please be sure to turn in absence excuse notes within three (3) days of your child's return to school. Absences will remain unexcused until notes or turned in or if the three day window is exceeded. If your child has 10 or more cumulative days of absence, a doctor's note is required for all absences past 10 days.
Absence excuse notes can also be emailed to Log College at the following address:
For family trips during the school year, a Family Trip Request Form must be submitted to the Principal at least two weeks (10 school days) prior to your trip. All requests submitted less than 10 days prior will be denied.
Winter Weather Guidelines
From the Nurse
The state of Pennsylvania requires documentation of physical exams, dental exams and immunizations in School Health Records. The schedule for the mandated physical and dental exams is:
Physical Exam are required for all 6th graders; Please continue to send in.
Dental Exam are required for all 7th grade; Please continue to send in.
All 7th graders are required to have a Tdap & Meningococcal immunization. Please submit documentation by December 6th
Utilize the link below to view immunization requirements:
Pennsylvania Immunization Requirements for School-Aged Children
All Centennial School District Health Forms are available from the Nurse’s Office or at http://www.centennialsd.org/Page/1887 . . You may also download and print the necessary forms by going to the Log College website and click on the “Our School” tab; click on the “Nursing Services” tab; click on “Forms”.
WHEN YOUR CHILD IS SICK….
Early dismissal due to illness is handled by the Nurse’s Office. Once it is determined the student will need to be dismissed, the nurse will contact the parent/guardian. Please remind your student the use of cell phones to call or text in school is not permitted. The office phones are available to students with the permission of the office staff. Students may not use their cell phone to call or text home. Early dismissal for any other reason is handled through the front security desk with a parent note stating the reason for the early dismissal, date, and time.
If your child is ill and misses school, upon returning to school they must present a note written by you (parent/guardian) to the Guidance/Attendance secretary (Debbie Glover). Parents may also email an absence note to GlovDe@centennialsd.org. Please refer to the Student Handbook for additional information.
WHEN YOUR CHILD NEEDS MEDICATION AT SCHOOL…
With the exception of rescue inhalers or auto-injectable epinephrine, students are NOT permitted to carry medication (on their person, in their lunch or school bag).
Medication must be in the original container and hand delivered by a parent/guardian to the school nurse. A “Medication Permission Form” must also accompany the medication.
The may be obtained in the Nurse’s Office or by visiting the LC website at: http://www.centennialsd.org/Page/1887.
An Asthma or Allergy Action Plan must accompany rescue medication such as asthma inhalers or epinephrine. Failing to store prescribed medication in the nurse’s office is a violation of Centennial School District Policy 3.1.
WHEN YOUR CHILD HAS HEAD LICE…
Head lice do not pose a health hazard, are not responsible for the spread of disease, and are not a sign of un-cleanliness.
Check your child’s head for lice on a weekly basis. Because head lice are usually transmitted by head-to-head contact, parents should carefully check a child’s head before and after attending a sleepover or camp where children share sleeping quarters.
The first sign of lice is always itching. When you notice that your child is itching have them sit in a well-lit area and look for an oval shaped “nit” or egg along the hairline. Nits stick to the hair and are not easily removed. If you have any questions about what you are looking for please feel free to call the nurse’s office for guidance.
Remind children to never share hats, coats, combs, headphones, to play with each other’s hair or have any close head contact “SELFIES”.
As with all health issues, please keep the school nurse informed. Visit our website or call the Nurse’s Office for additional information, available resources, or individual questions.
As always, please contact me with any questions or concerns.
Anne Curtin, RN, BSN, CSN
Certified School Nurse
Log College Middle School
215-441-6075 ex 14025